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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

I have just arrived back from an awe-inspiring
cultural trip to China, one week in Shanghai and two weeks in Beijing. Exploring
the major cultural sites and institutions; mainly museums, galleries and some
of the must do tourist sites. The main focus of my trip was to absorb the
styling and master craftsmanship as manifested in their cultural heritage - for
which they are envied the world over.

Detail of beautifully painted vase below.

First on the agenda was the archetypal,
cultural heritage products; artefacts carefully selected and stylishly exhibited
in cabinets, matching the well funded museums such as the Louvre in Paris and
the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The best of their ceramics, jade and
bamboo carving, including calligraphy and the spectacular Chinese Seals,all breathtakingly beautiful - all of which will be showcased on this blog over the
next few weeks.

I could only spend so much time looking at each object – a
click of the button, the camera set to capture every detail possible – to be
viewed more closely, once scanned into my computer. In the comfort of my home, with purpose;
inspirational intent as needed and desired. I am therefore equipped to share
some of these chosen and photographed objects with you- showcasing their forms,
shapes and surfaces.

Surface decoration at its best.

Every object you observe is loaded with
detail, skillfully carved, painted and or crafted to the highest degree of
excellence possible. A trip to the museum and or a gallery became an exhausting
experience; one work after the other displayed more complex and more detailed
craftsmanship. There is only so much
your brain can absorb, especially when you are confronted by the best of the
best on display in a particular style, and especially when you are particularly
interested and fascinated by meticulously conceived and masterly crafted products.

One gets completely drawn into the
product, into the surface; the motifs and the techniques and methods applied to
create the object - a visually draining experience that calls for regular trips
to have tea (tea shop left). It is therefore necessary to stagger visits to the exhibits in
terms of their awe-inspiring and absorbing qualities. Having Hylton Nel as a travelling partner made the experience that much more spectacular and informative; his insightful comments providing a much needed historical and technological context.

Hylton Nel at Liulichang Street.

I love Shanghai - early evening. Photo taken from The Bund.

Later. Photo taken from The Bund.

Even later when misty. Photo taken from The Bund.

The size of the buildings, the pavements
and the masses of people, everything is bigger and dare I say better. Construction
is seen everywhere. Out with the old and in with the new – such is the nature
of progress and increased wealth.

Even the National Museum of China in Beijing was
recently renovated, all 65000 square meters of it – finally opening its doors
to the public in 2011. The major exhibits include Ceramics (carefully selected),
Jade, bamboo carving and calligraphy including a hall of artworks to instill
patriotism and celebrate the revolutionary past – socialist realism at its
best.

Socialist Realism.

Fascinating to say the least – massive paintings are dwarfed by the enormity
and scale of the space - adding to the dramatic nature of the display. You are
in fact greeted by monumental sculptures of Mao and leading political heroes
that dominate the massive foyer – exhibited to great effect, commanding respect
and obedience.

Mao and political heroes in the foyer.

The gardens are spectacular in that they
provide residents with an opportunity to escape their intimate spaces and
absorb all things green, in true Chinese fashion, carved and nurtured ‘bonsai
style’ to perfection – once again to instill order.

Fat prince at play in the park.

Every effort is being made to
create green belts, next to highways and on pavements – everywhere possible.
Trees are carefully and meticulously shaped and formed, spaced evenly apart,
with cropped hedges beneath to create sculpted planes of green belts.

Up to mischief playing with discarded cigarettes.

Very
impressive indeed. I trust you find the
images on this post inspirational and hope it will inspire to view future
entries on my trip to china – up close, every detail of every awe-inspiring
visual experience.

Title image: Ceramic installation with projected animation titled, and the ship sails on. In celebration of the Chinese year of the dragon. Follow link to view video on You Tube.EUGENE HŐN : CERAMIC ARTISTThe purpose of this blog is to inform you of the creative thinking behind my ceramic statements.I will therefore provide reference material to facilitate greater interaction with you in the development of ceramic concepts. The expressed views and posted comments are intended to illustrate how the ceramic statements act as a vehicle for an expanding discourseon relevant art, design and craft issues.

About Me

I am a ceramic artist with a passion for drawing. My ceramic statements are a creative response to the literary sources I choose to read. I am also an academic, recently appointed Director of the FADA Gallery at the University of Johannesburg. I am an artist that celebrates the handmade, with strong concepts and meaning that straddles the disciplines of ceramics, sculpture, drawing, artist’s books, digital printing, animation, video or digital projection Installation and ultimately design.